When it comes to choosing beans for your coffee machine at home, you’ve probably noticed they fall into two main varieties: arabica and robusta. But have you ever wondered what the difference is? Which one is better for your morning espresso, or your afternoon latte? Surely one coffee bean is very much like another, right?
Wrong. While arabica beans and robusta beans will both result in the same thing – a cup of coffee – they produce completely different flavours. And which one is best will depend largely on how you like your coffee. This blog will explore the differences between these popular coffee bean varieties and give you the breakdown on which one could be the bean for you.
Spotlight on the Arabica Bean
Arabica beans, as their name might suggest, come from the Coffea arabica plant. Coffee made from arabica beans originates from Ethiopia and is by far the most widely consumed variety of coffee worldwide, making up around 60% of global coffee production. The name arabica is thought to have come about when coffee first travelled from Ethiopia to Arabia in the 7th century.
Arabica coffee plants grow in tropical climates, closer to the equator, and at high altitudes. They grow between 2.5 and 4.5 metres high and are oval in shape. Ethiopia, India, Guatemala, Colombia, and Brazil are some of the biggest and best producers of arabica coffee, with Brazil coming out on top as the largest producer worldwide.
The taste of arabica beans can vary depending on the region they were grown in. It can sometimes be sweet, with some fruity notes, but can also sit more at the nutty end of the flavour scale.
Spotlight on the Robusta Bean
Robusta beans come from the Coffea canephora plant. Coffee made from robusta beans is the second-most popular variety of coffee today, accounting for between 30 and 40% of global coffee production. Robusta beans are mainly grown in Africa, Vietnam, Indonesia and India.
These beans get their name from their hardy nature. Robusta plants can grow up to 6 metres high. They grow in lower altitudes, are happy in a diverse range of climates, and are also more naturally resistant to pests and insects. This makes them a more resilient, robust species of coffee bean.
Robusta beans, in contrast to the arabica beans, have a deeper flavour, with a distinct woody and nutty taste. They also have a higher caffeine content, 2.7%, where arabica beans have around 1.5%.
So, Which is Best?
The simple answer to which coffee bean is best is… it depends. It all comes down to personal taste, and how you like to drink your coffee. If you’re a fan of a milky drink, like a cappuccino or latte, the light and fruity tones of the arabica bean make an ideal companion. If you love an espresso and want a deeper flavour, the robusta’s intense and rich flavour qualities work beautifully.
Each type of coffee bean has its own distinct and interesting flavours profile, but it’s not really a question of which tastes better; it’s which one you prefer.
Really, there is no wrong answer when it comes down to which bean is best. It all depends on your personal taste. If you’re relatively new to coffee drinking, though, the arabica bean is probably a better first option; it has generally sweeter and softer tones, whereas the robusta bean is far stronger, and a little more bitter.
Hopefully, you’ll now be able to choose your coffee beans with confidence at Inglewood Coffee Roasters. Why not browse our full range of coffee beans at to get started?